Husband ‘burnt wife to death’ for failing entrance exam

Police dismiss suspect's claim that the 25-year-old committed suicide

A 25-year-old woman who failed to pass her medical school entrance exam was allegedly burnt to death by her husband on Sunday in Rock Town Colony, LB Nagar, Hyderabad, media reports said on Tuesday.

Rushi Kumar claimed that his wife Harika had committed suicide, but her family members have alleged that he set her on fire after she failed to secure a seat for the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) program, PTI reported.

Venugopala Rao ACP (LB Nagar division) told PTI, “Harika’s husband claimed she committed suicide, but after seeing the scene of the offense, it appears to be a murder. We suspect that the man has killed his wife.”

Harika’s mother and sister said, “Harika and Rushi were married for two years. He had been harassing her frequently as she did not secure a MBBS seat, though she got [admission to] BDS this year. He also harassed her demanding more dowry… It is a planned murder.”

The body has been sent for autopsy and the case has been registered under section 304(B) and 302 IPC. Following a complaint, Rushi and his parents were arrested on the charge of dowry harassment.